Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Karlor CD. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Karlor CD against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with this medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Karlor CD is used for

Karlor CD contains cefaclor monohydrate as the active ingredient.

It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria in different parts of the body, including infections of the:

ears, nose, throat and tonsils (upper respiratory tract)

chest and lungs (lower respiratory tract)

bladder and kidneys (lower urinary tract)

skin.

This medicine belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection.

Ask your doctor if you any questions about why Karlor CD has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that it is addictive.

There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children under the age of 12 years.

Before you take it

When you must not take it

Do not take Karlor CD if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:

any medicine containing cefaclor monohydrate

other cephalosporins

any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Do not take Karlor CD if you have had a serious allergic reaction to penicillin.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 12 years.

Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 12 years old have not been established.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

Do not take this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor has instructed you to do so.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

kidney disease

severe bowel conditions

liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you start taking Karlor CD.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Karlor CD may interfere with each other.

These include:

antacids

If you need to take an antacid, do not take it within 1 hour of taking Karlor CD.

probenecid (e.g. Pro-Cid).

These medicines may be affected by Karlor CD or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Karlor CD.

How to take it

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how much Karlor CD you need to take.

This will depend on the type of infection you have.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablet.

When to take it

Take Karlor CD at about the same time each day with food.

This will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.

How long to take it

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

It is important to complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you do not, the bacteria causing your infection may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Karlor CD. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include feeling sick, vomiting, upset stomach or diarrhoea.

While you are taking it

Things you must do

Tell your doctor if the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days or if they become worse.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Karlor CD, especially if you are being started on any new medicine.

Tell your doctor, surgeon or dentist that you are taking Karlor CD if you are about to undergo surgery or an operation.

It may affect other medicines used during surgery.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine.

If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

If you are diabetic, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using urine sugar tests.

Karlor CD may cause false test results with some urine sugar tests.

Things you must not do

Do not take Karlor CD to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Karlor CD affects you.

It may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Karlor CD.

This medicine helps most people with infection, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

diarrhoea

itchy rash

oral thrush - white, furry, sore tongue or mouth

vaginal thrush - sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge.

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer. This website uses cookies. Read our privacy policy.